CREATE A NAME BADGE TO EXPRESS A BRAND WITH THE LATEST COLORS

December 2813:352017

“Purple is growing in popularity for the hotel and hospitality industry, giving their design a contemporary feel,” says Kristin MacMillan, Imprint Plus president. “Using Ultra Violet in your organization’s logos, name badges and promotional materials conveys innovation and forward-thinking. The easy to use name badge kits and software from Imprint Plus make it simple to create and customize name badges featuring this new color trend.”

Name badges, part of a $429 million industry in the U.S., can say much more than “hello.” A name badge not only identifies the wearer by name, title and affiliation, but presents a brand personality and fashion statement as well. The typeface and colors selected for name badges say a lot about the company and the wearer.

According to Kristin MacMillan, President of Imprint Plus, makers of customized re-usable name badge systems for large corporations, small businesses and individuals, “A name badge is an effective tool for presenting one’s brand, and instantly identifies the wearer as part of a distinct business environment when designed with corporate colors and logos or as a ‘stand out’ individual when created with specific graphics and typefaces. We see a trend in name badges being carefully selected to convey the right image about the company employee or entrepreneur, with more emphasis being placed on design.”

Color is a big part of the branding story. Pantone recently unveiled Ultra Violet, a deep-blue purple, as Color of the Year for 2018. Shades of purple have always been associated with royalty, so it is no wonder that designers refer to it as elegant and sophisticated.

“Purple is growing in popularity for the hotel and hospitality industry, giving their design a contemporary feel,” adds Ms. MacMillan. “Using Ultra Violet in your organization’s logos, name badges and promotional materials conveys innovation and forward-thinking. The easy to use name badge kits and software from Imprint Plus make it simple to create and customize name badges featuring this new color trend.”

The colors that companies have traditionally been most likely to select are, in order of preference: blue, black, red or yellow. Blue, the most popular choice for a brand color tends to put people at ease and indicates trustworthiness (true blue), dependability, and responsibility. Black is used by companies that wish to present a classic sophistication coupled with prestige, value and timelessness. Red is an energetic, powerful color and it is often used in hospitality and retail industries. Because yellow is a color associated with the sun, it communicates a positivity and light leading to motivation and creativity. Orange combines red and yellow making it an exciting color full of vitality, fun and exuberance. Green is comparable to serene and is associated with wealth, health, prestige and ecology. Brown is reminiscent of the earth, making it a durable, natural and simplistic color.

Font style can also express personality. For example, those companies and individuals who select existing fonts, including “Times New Roman” as the preferred typeface, are generally all business and considered formal, reliable, and practical, the preferred choice for business. On the other hand, “Comic Sans” is considered youthful and casual, a font that is generally aimed at a younger market. “Arial” is another font considered stable and conformist like “Times New Roman,” but is best used for spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. “Verdana” is always clean and legible and speaks to the “tech savvy” marketplace.

“Name tags not only make an introduction for the wearer, they also serve to express an image that makes a first and a lasting impression,” adds Ms. MacMillan. “They make it possible for others to visually grasp who you are, what you do, and remember you, therefore increasing the likelihood that you will make a connection.”

Imprint Plus manufactures an assortment of name badge and systems that range from customized company name badge systems; to The Mighty Badge Kit, perfect for the small to mid-size businesses with 10+ employees; to YouWho name badges in two- and four-unit kits, starting at $25.